Climate change is a major focus of many foundations. Just about any approach to climate change you can think of is getting funding, and organizations at all levels—local, regional, national, global—are receiving support. But competition for grants is also intense, so your project better add value in a crowded field or take a new approach to climate change.

We are tracking what climate funders are doing and what we're learning is captured in this guide. All the profiles of funders in the guide are updated regularly. Only paid subscribers can access this resource (subscribe here).

FUNDERS

The 11th Hour Project’s climate and energy program seeks to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and accelerate the use of renewable energy, focusing on activity in the United States. Most of its climate grants go to nonprofits that are building cross-sector coalitions and mobilizing them to press for long-term policy and market-based reforms.

The Annenberg Foundation makes a significant number of grants for environmental work in the Los Angeles area. Annenberg’s environmental priorities are not specifically focused on climate, so most of the giving in this realm is connected to city sustainability and protecting resources in its geographic focus of Southern California.

The Barr Foundation is a big fish in the pond of Massachusetts-based environmental organizations, particularly regarding the issue of climate change. Making Boston and Massachusetts more environmentally sustainable is the Barr Foundation's primary environmental goal. But some regional and national efforts get Barr's support as well.

The Morton K. and Jane Blaustein Foundation’s climate change grantmaking focuses on building bipartisan alliances for equitable energy and climate policymaking in the United States and grassroots organizations led by communities impacted by climate change.

The Boeing Company awards grants in 20 states and Washington, D.C. Its areas of focus vary by state, but in general, all include organizations working in the fields of environmental protection, conservation and climate change.

The Compton Foundation is a progressive funder committed to protecting the environment and curbing climate change, among other causes. It takes a unique approach to giving, making grants to groups based on two categories of work—leadership and storytelling.

The Nathan Cummings Foundation’s climate-related giving looks at the issue from an equity perspective through its Inclusive Clean Economy focus. The funder supports the transition to clean energy, with an emphasis on communities.

Ecolab Foundation, the philanthropic arm of its corporate namesake, gives to a broad swath of programs and interests. Ecolab has an Environment & Conservation focus area and is particularly interested in supporting "hands-on environmental learning programs."

The Grantham Foundation gives millions toward cultivating environmentally sustainable economies and climate-adapted communities. While all types of organizations receive funding from Grantham, those that excel at communicating with the public and working collaboratively with other groups will be its biggest winners.

Gund is interested in using cities to address climate change, giving to support clean energy, green business, smart growth and city sustainability. The foundation has a very strong focus on Cleveland, but still gives quite a bit to national or regional projects that share its interests.

Hewlett is one of the biggest funders in the climate space. While much of its funding for climate change goes toward main grantee ClimateWorks, Hewlett supports other major NGOs. Hewlett is accessible to smaller groups as well.

The Charles Evans Hughes Memorial Foundation directs its environmental giving toward climate change organizations. It also funds environmental organizations that work in other fields, such as in conservation.

Kresge is one of the leading foundations funding preparation for the effects of climate change, especially as they relate to cities and vulnerable communities. Its environment program focuses on resilience, and curbing the worst effects of climate change while planning for inevitable consequences.

The Levinson Foundation’s Environment program supports organizations that are working toward the goal of converting from an oil economy and moving toward the development and implementation of alternative fuel sources.

McKnight’s grantmaking focuses on mitigating “catastrophic global climate change.” The foundation does support global carbon pollution reduction efforts, but it has a soft spot for Upper Midwest organizations working on renewable energy technologies.

The Moore Foundation supports projects that work to save the Amazon and to preserve the role the region plays in the Earth's climatic function. However, Moore also supports organizations that address environmental and energy issues from various angles, specifically through scientific research.

Charles Stewart Mott divides its environmental funding into three parts—freshwater ecosystem conservation, international finance for sustainability, and its special initiatives. The foundation mainly addresses climate change through its finance program.

Packard channels most of its climate funding through ClimateWorks, and it doesn't accept unsolicited proposals for climate projects. As a matter of practice, though, the substantial resources and breadth of Packard's huge Conservation and Science Program means there are a variety of ways to get Packard support for climate-related work.

Since 2009, Park has gradually shifted more of its funding to fighting fracking, and they don’t equivocate on goals—they want it banned. Park spreads anti-fracking grants across grassroots organizing and advocacy, research, and public education. Its media funding has supported a number of reporting projects related to climate change.

While this funder’s signature program is water, it also has a separate climate focus, and funds groups working in climate across programs. A handful of grantees receive most support in the form of large grants, but Pisces makes dozens of small grants per year, too.

Recently, RFF's environmental program has focused almost exclusively on climate change. That said, other environmental projects have received support, as well. This funder is often drawn to smaller groups doing policy and advocacy work with national implications.

The Sea Change Foundation is funded by Nathaniel Simons, the son of hedge fund wizard James Simons. It gives away millions every year to promote clean energy and reduce carbon emissions, mainly in the United States. But it also spends heavily on policy advocacy work.

Surdna’s Sustainable Environments Program goals are to give the country’s infrastructure a complete makeover by supporting organizations working on energy-efficient buildings, improved water system management, and improved transit systems.

Offers both national and international environmental and conservation grants. The Starr Foundation does not accept unsolicited letters of inquiry, preferring to investigate and invite prospective grantees to apply.

This is the foundation of Tom Steyer and Kathryn Taylor, a philanthropic power couple who have jumped into the deep end of the climate change fight. It focuses heavily on clean energy, but also funds a mix of movement building, policy work and public education.

The bank made a $100 million commitment for environmental issues to be given by 2020. Grants have gone to dozens of nonprofits in annual bundles. One of two priorities is clean technology and innovation, and the corporate foundation just launched its own clean tech incubator.

WestWind is a small, Virginia-based funder. Grants primarily fund the fight against climate change prioritizing the American South and stopping new coal plants. While somewhat regional, this funder supports groups across the United States.